Rubondo Island

Rubondo Island Safari Trips & Tours

A tropical island paradise in Lake Victoria, where elephant roam and chimps shriek from the trees.

Imagine an island where herds of elephant roam wild, chimpanzees hide in the trees and shy sitatunga forage in the groves. This is Rubondo, one of the most unique and, quite frankly, remarkable ecosystems on the planet. Situated in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria, the island is 26 kms long and 10 kms at its widest. Three quarters of the 25,000 hectares (an area double the size of Manhattan!) are blanketed by pristine equatorial fauna and with only a handful of researchers, park wardens and one camp on the fringes of the forest, this is a new definition of 'untouched'.

What to do in Rubondo

Rubondo Island Camp is the only camp on Rubondo, the largest island national park in Africa. A stay on Rubondo is the experience of a lifetime... Besides a handful of park wardens, researchers and the camp staff, the island is uninhabited by humans and has been set aside as a refuge for endangered chimpanzees and other animals. Overlooking Lake Victoria, it’s surrounded by tropical forests and is home to chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes and other plains game. Tilapia and Nile perch fill the lake, elusive sitatungas hide in the papyrus swamps and along the forest edge, and bushbucks roam the forest. Between November and March, wild orchids bloom, attracting a dazzling array of butterflies. Birders can spot more than 300 species of endemic and migratory birds. A typical day at Rubondo - You will have an early start to the day, while it is still pleasantly cool and animals are most active. Wake up with a cup of tea or coffee, followed by breakfast. It’s sure to be a busy morning, with so many experiences at your fingertips. Depart for a forest walk, boat tour, fishing trip or game drive. If you’ve been on a morning outing, you’ll be back at camp in time to relax and freshen up before sitting down to enjoy lunch. Alternatively, you can devote the day to tracking chimpanzees in the dense forest. The afternoon is time to take a siesta, read a book or cool off in the pool. After you’ve rested and refuelled with afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes, opt to head out on a guided forest walk or a sundowner boat cruise. Round off a special day with drinks around the campfire on the beach and dinner under the stars. Meals and refreshments - Meals are served al fresco on the main deck overlooking the beach, where you can relax with your toes in the sand. Spend afternoons in a hammock, binoculars and bird guide in hand or cooling off in the pool. As the sun sets, watch hippos emerge from the water to graze on the grass around camp. All the excellent food is homemade, including breads, cakes, biscuits and sorbets. Breakfast is served on the deck overlooking the lake. Lunch is a light buffet (if you’re a keen cook, join the chef for a class that doubles as lunch prep). Sip sundowners around the campfire on the beach, after which you'll enjoy a communal dinner under the stars